Attachment structure for supporting and releasably attaching a container, a corresponding support structure, a transport vehicle and a container

Abstract

An attachment structure (2) for supporting and releasably attaching a container (1), cargo bed or the like to a transport vehicle (25, 32) and a mating support structure (31) configured to be provided on the transport vehicle (25, 32), the attachment structure being provided with releasable locking mechanisms (12) configured to provide a releasable locking of the attachment structure (2) to the support structure (31). The invention facilitates easy and flexible distribution of goods by way of environmental friendly vehicles for instance within the inner region of a city.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to Danish Patent Application PA 2013 00623 filed Nov. 1, 2013, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS[0002]The inventions described below relate to the field of containers and similar means for accommodating goods to be transported and more specifically to means for releasable attachment of such containers to a transport means, such as trucks, lorries, trailers or railway wagons. The use of such containers and transport means for distributing goods in an environmentally friendly manner, for instance within a city.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS[0003]The field of cargo transport faces a number of challenges. In known and existing goods distribution transfer systems the goods are collected in the country and outside of the country and transported over individual routes. All transport has to go through the outer zones of the city. This results in a great deal of traffic with conventional combustion en...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]On this background, it is an object of the systems and methods described below to provide transport vehicles and transport means that allow environmentally friendly transport of goods primarily—although not necessarily—within the inner regions of cities. This object can be achieved by the provision of containers or swap boxes that are provided with means for easy and effective loading and unloading on / from transport vehicles. To this effect, the containers / swap boxes of the present invention are provided with means for releasable attachment to mating means provided on a transport vehicle, preferably a vehicle of a kind that is particularly friendly to the environment. Such vehicles could for instance be battery-powered distribution vehicles. The advantages of such vehicles are low emission, low noise level, and good battery longevity for short distance distribution.

[0008]A further advantage of small vehicles is that they are more maneuverable in the city, and are better for traffic safety.

[0012]Preferably, the support structure is provided with quick lock mechanisms that allow quick and easy locking of the attachment structure to the support structure, and thereby the container to the transport vehicle, upon which the support structure is provided. Such quick lock mechanisms allow for securing and releasing without the use of tools.

[0019]According to a sixth aspect, use of containers and transport vehicles are provided for environmentally friendly transport and distribution of goods for instance in central parts of a city. The flexible and versatile containers provided with an attachment structure according to the invention together with transport vehicles provided with support structures according to the invention makes it easy to re-load goods from larger and less environmental friendly vehicles unto transport vehicles / containers according to the invention and distribute the good for instance within a central part of a city, where transport using larger and less environmental friendly vehicles would be problematic.

Problems solved by technology

This results in a great deal of traffic with conventional combustion engine driven or vehicles in the peripheral zone of the city leading to dense-traffic situations, high emission levels and noise levels.

Traditionally, delivery of goods in the inner zone of a city takes place with large or small distribution vehicles of any kind, which vehicles may not be particularly friendly to the environment.

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